Pruning implement.



G. F. JENKINS. PRUNING IMPLEMENT. APPLICATION FILED APR. 1, 1909.

930,183 Patented Aug. 3, 1909.

GEORGE FRED JENKINS, OF BARNSTEAD, NEW HAMPSHIRE.

FRUNING- IMPLEMENT.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Aug. 3, 1909.

Application filed April 1, 1909. Serial No. 487,329.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that l, GEORGE F. JENKINS, a citizen of the United States,residing at Barnstead, in the county of Belknap and State of NewHampshire, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in PruningImplements, of which the following is a specification, reference beinghad to the accompanying drawings.

This invention relates to improvements in prunin implements of thatclass especially adapted for cutting from trees and shrubbery, branchesand twigs on which moths nests are supported.

One object of the invention is to provide a simple and practical pruningknife or implement of this character which will be light in Weight sothat it may be used upon a comparatively long pole and readilymanipulated with one hand.

Another object of the invention is to pro vide an implement of thischaracter having opposing or converging cutting blades so mounted thatthey may be readily separated to permit them 'to be effectivelysharpened.

With the above and other objects in view, the invention consists of thenovel features of construction and the combination and arran ement ofparts hereinafter fully descri ed and claimed, and illustrated in theaccompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a side elevation of theimproved pruning implement; Fig. 2 is a longitudinal section; Fig. 3 isa similar view showing the blades open to permit them to be sharpened;and Figs. 4 and 5 are transverse sections taken, respectively, on theplanes indicated by the lines l4 and 5-5 in Fig. 2.

The invention comprises two cutting blades 1, 2 arranged in convergingrelation on a suitable handle or pole 3. The inner or lower blade 1extends longitudinally of the pole while the blade 2 projects at anacute angle from the pole so that a V-shaped space is provided betweenthe beveled cutting edges 4, 5 of the two blades.

The pole or handle 3 may be of any suitable form and construction andmay be made in one piece or in one or more sections. As illustrated, theblades are fixed to a short outer section 6, which latter is secured toa long pole section 7 by means of binding wires 8 or any other suitabledetachable fastening means.

The blades 1, 2 are preferably secured in a longitudinal keri or slot 9which extends inwardly a suitable distance from the beveled or pointedouter end 10 of the pole section 6. The inner blade 1 is in the form ofa rectangular plate having its outer edge beveled to provide the cuttingedge 4 and its lower end pivoted in the slot 9 by means of a screw, boltor the like 1 1. The upper portion of the inner edge of the blade 1 isformed with a notch 12 adapted to receive a stop screw or bolt 13 passedthrough the pole section 6 and intersecting the slot 9.

The outer or upper blade 2 is angular in shape, its short upper endbeing pivoted by a screw or bolt 14 in the upper portion of the slot andthe lower portion of the inner edge of its long arm being beveled toprovide the cutting edge 5. The upper portion of the inner edge of thelong arm of the blade 2 is formed with an angular portion 18 to engagethe beveled end 17 of the blade 1. The two blades are held in engagementand in the slot 9 of the pole section 6 by means of a clamping bolt 19passed transversely through an opening in the pole section 6 and havinga hook-shaped end 20 to engage a notch 21 in the outer edge of the blade2. The other projecting screw threaded end of the bolt 9 receives aretaining nut 22. which is of semielliptical form so that it willpresent no abrupt shoulders on which the twigs and branches of the treeswill catch.

From the foregoing it will be seen that the invention provides anexceedingly simple and practical pruning kni'le which may be produced ata small cost and which will be strong and durable in use. The peculiararrangement of the cutting blades causes it to easily cut twigs andbranches of trees, shrubbery and the like on which the nests of browntail moths are supported; and it also permits the implement to be easilyoperated with one hand. The peculiar manner of fastening the bladescauses them to be eil'ectively secured to the pole or handle and alsoenables them to be quickly and easily separated, as shown in Fig. 3 ofthe drawings so that the cutting edges of said blades may beconveniently and effectively sharpened.

Having thus described the invention what is claimed is:

1. A pruning implement comprising a handle, a pair of cutting bladespivoted thereon and having their cutting edges arranged in convergingrelation, a supporting .thereon and having their cutting edges armemberfor one of said blades and a single fastening for holding said bladesagainst movement upon their pivots.

2. A pruning implement comprising a handle, a pair of cutting bladespivoted ranged in converging relation,- said blades having portions ortheir free ends engaged With each other, a supporting member for one ofsaid blades and a hook boltin the handle and engaged With the outerblade, whereby both of the blades will be held against movement on thehandle.

3. A pruning implement com rising a handle formed With a longitudinaslot, an inner blade pivoted at its lower end in said slot, a stop tolimit the inward swinging movement of the upper end of the blade,- anouter blade pivoted in the upper portion of said slot, the outer bladebeing adapted to engage the inner one and retain it in engagement' withits stop and a hook bolt passed through the handle and engaged with theouter blade, whereby both blades Will be held against movement in thehandle.

4. A pruning implement comprising a pole, a longitudinally slotted outerpole section detachably secured to one end of said pole, inner and outerblades pivoted in said slot ofthe outer pole section and engaged Witheach other, and a hook bolt' passed through the outer pole section andengaged with the outer blade whereby both blades Will beheld againstmovement in'the outer pole section.

In testimony whereof I hereunto affix my signature in the presence oftwo Witnesses.

GEORGE FRED JENKINS.

Witnesses h VEDWARD A.- LA E,

ALBERT J. RANLET.

